"The biggest thing is he gets you off-balance because he can play at different speeds and really stretch you. He was better than we expected, although we expected him to be good."

The same could be said for Self's own top-ranked freshman, the 6-8 wing Wiggins, whose step-back jumper and late dunk sealed the Jayhawks' win with little more than a minute left in Tuesday's game. Wiggins finished the night with 22 points and 10 boards.

The same could also be said for No. 1 Kentucky's 6-9, 250-pound forward, Julius Randle, who dominated much of the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader by scoring 27 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in a 78-74 loss to No. 2 Michigan State.

The night was freshman-focused, and, boy, did the three headliners live up to their nearly impossible levels of hype.

"We've had a number of kids tonight who are going to be top-notch NBA players," Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said in his post-game news conference.

Added Self: "Jabari lived up to the billing, and Andrew lived up to the billing late, no question."

Each of the three stars dazzled in different ways: Randle with his bruising physicality. Parker with his scoring versatility. Wiggins with his pure athleticism.

Michigan State's Branden Dawson, who drew the dreaded task of guarding Randle in the post described it as: "He's strong. â?¦ He's just hungry to score. He's always around the rim."

Spartan coach Tom Izzo called Randle "ornery and nasty," the kind of player who "wanted to put (his team) on his shoulders," he said. "For a freshman, that speaks volumes."

If that's true, then Wiggins and Parker practically screamed, too.

Parker's 19 first-half points paced Duke during a back-and-forth first half. Wiggins's second-half aggression changed the dynamics of the matchup. Both players showed flashes of what NBA scouts â?? as many as 80 were in attendance Tuesday night â?? seek in pro prospects.

Kansas forward Perry Ellis, who guarded Parker much of the night, said it was "definitely a challenge" to defend a player who could score just as easily from the wing as the post.

Duke's Rodney Hood, who battled Wiggins, said: "He's a hell of an athlete. He's real patient. He's just a good player. â?¦ In the second half, he came out very aggressive, trying to get to the basket."

Before college basketball fans go too crazy over these kids and NBA general managers start talking tanking, Self cautions patience. In a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately kind of world, one of the most difficult things to do is wait.

But Parker, Wiggins and Randle are worth it.

"Those three have a chance to all be special," Self said. "It's also one week into the season, less than one week. People are too giddy about certain guys because of the unknown. When guys are seen and studied and figured out, there's going to be a little bit of a roller coaster for all these young kids."

Nicole Auerbach, a national college basketball reporter for USA TODAY Sports, is on Twitter @NicoleAuerbach.